Weatherstone Takes On Development Post

The Clarets have appointed Simon Weatherstone as their new Development Squad Manager.

Weatherstone, 32, takes over the role from Jason Blake, who had previously combined the job with his position as Academy Manager.

Blake will now focus his energies on heading up Burnley’s youth development programme, while Weatherstone will work on a daily basis with the club’s young professionals and oversee the Development Squad match programme.

The former midfielder, whose playing career included spells with Oxford United, Boston, Yeovil, Stevenage Borough and Crawley Town, joined the Clarets last season in a coaching and recruitment capacity.

“I’m delighted to have this opportunity and looking forward to working in the role,” said Weatherstone, who ended his playing career with Blue Square Premier side Eastbourne Borough in 2011.

“We have some good young players here who I will be doing my best to help develop further.

“First and foremost we want them to come through and play in our first team, but if not we want them to be able to go on and have good careers.”

The Development Squad, which last week featured a near first-team line-up for a training ground fixture against Rochdale, has played a dozen games so far this season after replacing the Clarets’ Reserve team, which was withdrawn from the Central League.